A
film that runs in theaters for
three consecutive Diwalis might
sound like an improbable thing
these days with the huge number
of theaters and wide release
strategies. But we are transporting
you back to the times when a
good film spent a huge amount
of time in theaters and in the
hearts of audiences. This is
before our country got its

independence
and it amazes one to think that even in those
days of political instability when the Second
World War was still raging, such creations
were possible. We are talking about the legendary
Haridass, the movie that is perhaps still
the rightful holder of the record of the longest
running movie in theaters.

Haridass
is the story of a man born with a silver
spoon. He has nothing to worry about and
leads a wanton life. Women are his weakness
and he spends most of his time philandering
amongst them, that too in spite of being
married. It would not have been wrong to
call Haridass a Casanova. The critical point
in the story is when Haridass falls for
the charms of a Devadasi. hailing from a
noble family, Haridass’s associations
with the Devadasi causes a lot of concern
in his family, which is quite used to his
normally lose morals and lifestyle. His
wife tries some extreme measures to wean
him away from the company of woman. But
the Devadasi is not just about ravishing
beauty. She has some very clear intentions
and slowly but surely works towards them,
poisoning Haridass’ mind against his
own parents and wife. As he is already a
man who does not give much time to his family,
her tactics don’t take too long to
work and Haridass is completely under the
spell of the Devadasi. In the midst of this,
his wife quarrels with his parents and expels
them from the hose. Intoxicated by the Devadasi’s
beauty and his own self-importance, it is
too long before he notices that all his
riches, including his house have been usurped.
He has to seek shelter in the streets along
with his wife. As was the norm in the days
of yore, those who had nothing leave the
city and turn to the forests, to live off
the earth and the trees. Even in this sorry
state of existence, Haridass does not seem
to have forgotten his weakness for women
and his rather wayward tongue gets him into
trouble again, this time with a holy sage.
The sage has powers beyond Haridass’
wildest imaginations. Haridass gets punished
in a way that makes him repent for all his
sins, the transformation is instant. The
big change in him is the respect that he
gives to his parents, as if making up for
a lifetime of irreverence. The end is symbolic
of the amount of respect he has for his
parents, as Lord Krishna himself descends
from the heavens to meet the ideal son.
In all ways, the transformation is complete.

In 1944, during the times when a movie used
to have an average running time of more
than 3 hours, Haridass was a trendsetter
for the reason that it was just about 2
hours long. In all ways, the movie was hugely
different from the regular films of those
days. Pre-independence movies were mostly
reconstruction of myths or well-known tales
of ancient kings. This one, was however
different. It was set in the era of kings
and devadasis, it had the spiritual angle,
but basically, it was about a man’s
transformation and the way he treated his
family.

With commanding performances by Thyagaraja
Bhagavathar, perhaps the first superstar
of Tamil cinema, a classic cameo by N.S.
Krishnan and a hugely appreciated portrayal
by T.R. Rajakumari, the movie had everything
that the audience could ask for. Haridass
was a movie ahead of its times in concept
and execution. It was not the norm for a
movie in those days to depict low morals,
especially in its lead character. And, it
was almost taboo to discuss socially unacceptable
relationships between a man and a woman.
Yet, Haridass boldly faced these issues.
Though there have been many movies, since
then, which have confronted such matters,
Haridass remains special for being the first
to do so. Also, you have to see the movie
to understand how aesthetically it has been
shot, with almost no vulgarity, not hurting
the sensitivities of the audiences.

Why is Haridass being recounted as a classic?
Some movies become irrelevant with time,
some stand the test of time. Haridass is
one that has stood the test of time. That
is because it has got its heart and the
basics in the right place. A tight script
and linear narration that never once wavers
is the movie’s biggest strength. For
a 2-hour movie, it has an astounding 18
songs. Tiresome, you might think, try watching
the film. Most of the 18 songs have been
well used, with two of them Manmadha Leelai
and Krishna Mukunda Murare looking and feeling
good even in our times.

Talking
of performances, Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
is complete in his role as Haridas. N.S.
Krishnan, as one of the suitors of the Devadasi,
delivers a few social messages that are
not outdated even today, of course, in his
trademark style. However, the show stealer
is T.R. Rajakumari as the Devadasi. Her
portrayal of the negative character was
so brilliant that for some time in Tamil
cinema, she was the only one considered
for such roles. The film also has some very
well-executed special effects in a few scenes.
One might find it surprising that this movie
was made as far back as 1944, even the movies
of the 60s don’t boast of such quality.
That is why perhaps Haridass is recounted
even today as Tamil cinema’s greatest
hit.

If you don’t hate black-and-white
movies as a rule and are willing to overlook
the fact that the stage culture has influenced
performances in a small way, Haridass is
a compelling watch even in the 21st century.
Try Haridass - it is one of the finest in
Tamil cinema.